Best Chromebooks with Backlit Keyboard: A list of Chromebooks with Backlit Keyboards!

If you’ve used a laptop with a backlit keyboard before, it’s hard to back to a regular one. Howver, when it comes to traditional laptops,  backlit keyboards are available on most new laptops. But that’s another story if you’re looking for a Chromebook. Although Chromebooks gained a lot of popularity over the last few years, finding a great Chromebook with a backlit keyboard can still be quite difficult.

We all have seen Chromebooks go through an interesting evolution since the introduction of the Chrome OS. Initially, Chromebooks were a cheap alternative to laptops, and a lot of people were wondering about these new devices and their features (and still do).

However, Chromebooks are becoming more and more popular, and thanks to the simplicity  and the smooth performance of of the OS, Chromebooks have won millions of users.  In fact Chromebooks are becoming even better with time, and most Chromebooks nowadays can run Android apps. A lot of manufacturers have started to include more premium features as well as better build quality, and you can even find many Chromebooks with 8GB RAM, and the latest Intel processors.

Chromebooks are an excellent alternative if you’re a writer or blogger and need a simple laptop that has a great keyboard. But since most Chromebooks are considered entry level machines, finding one that has a backlit keyboard can be quite hard. And that’s why we hand picked some of the best Chromebooks with backlit keyboards available right now. But before we jump to our list, let’s first see why a backlit keyboard can be a cool advantage.

Advantages of a Backlit Keyboard

Backlit keyboards have always been very popular among gamers, due to the convenience they provide in dark environments. However, a lot of users can also take advantage of this feature:

• Useful in dark surroundings – One of the most primary benefits of backlit keyboards is that they provide ease of use in the dark. It is easier to use the keyboard and avoid stressing your eyes in case of darkness.
• One or More Colors – Depending on the model, you can also choose from a few color options for your keyboard and add a bit of more flair to it, these type of keyboards are called “RGB”, and is available on gaming laptops. This feature is not available on Chromebooks yet.
• Attractive – a backlit keyboard makes the Chromebook eye-catching and practical too.

What to look for in Backlit keyboards?

While the backlit keyboard might be an attractive feature in a Chromebook or laptop in general, you need to consider a few things:

• Brightness – Pay attention to the fact whether the brightness can be changed or not. Also, if you can disable the back lighting.
• Key Shape – Observe the shape of the keys on the board. You need to be comfortable while using the keys. Hence, make sure the keys are easy to type with.
• Lighting Bleed – This refers to the fine border that each key has. These borders restrict the light from leaking from the sides.

Best Chromebooks with backlit keyboards

HP Chromebook 15-de0021cl

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The HP Chromebook 15-de0021cl is definitely one of the best chromebooks available today, if you’re looking for a reliable laptop to get some work done. This Chromebook is powered by an 8th Generation Intel Core Processor i3-8130U, 4GB of RAM, and a 128GB eMMC Storage. For its price, the HP Chromebook 15 is well equipped and this configuration is more than enough for using the Chrome OS, and running Android Apps.

But the reason why we put the HP Chromebook 15 first on our list is the fact that it comes with a backlit keyboard. And not only that, it comes with Full size keyboard, and if you’re like me, you will love the fact that the HP Chromebook 15’s keyboard has a layout similar to that on most windows laptops. The number pad will also be a great addition if you have to type a lot of numbers and do data entry in spreadsheets.

In terms of build quality and design, the HP Chromebook 15-de0021cl shine here too. From the thin bezels around the display, to the ceramic like metal design, it clearly shows that HP spent a lot of time thinking out this product. Battery life is also excellent, with up to 13 hours of use.

Asus C302CA-DHM4 Chromebook Flip

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As it’s name implies The Asus C302CA-DHM4 Chromebook is  a 2 in 1 that comes with a flexible 360 degree hinge. Which allows you to use the device in a variety of ways like tablet mode, tent mode, stand or laptop mode. In terms of hardware, the Asus C302CA-DHM4 has an Intel Core M processor, 4GB RAM, and 64GB flash storage. For a Chromebook, this configuration is more than sufficient. The Asus C302 is also capable of running Android apps right out of the box.

The full-size, one-piece chiclet keyboard makes typing more comfortable than ever. Actually, this Chromebook’s keyboard is getting lots of praise and great reviews. For writers and bloggers on the go, the Asus C302CA is a good deal. The touchpad is spacious and has a palm rejection feature that can differentiate between actual fingerprint and palm contact.

This Chromebook is power-efficient and can last up to 10 hours on a single charge. Also, the machine is capable of starting up in as less as 3.5 seconds. The ASUS C302CA-DHM4 is also one of the best Chromebooks under 500 you can get!

Asus Chromebook C425

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The new Asus C425 is a versatile Chromebook designed for power users. This premium looking device comes with an 8th gen Intel Core M3-8100Y Processor, 8GB RAM, and a 64GB eMMC Storage. This Chromebook is perfect for those looking for a lightweight laptop to browse the internet, use Google sheets, and even run Andoir apps. The Asus C425 is also one of the few Chromebooks with 8GB RAM available right now.

And of course, the Asus C425 also features a backlit keyboard, which offers good travel distance if you’re looking for a chromebook with a good keyboard. The design is well produced, and even though the chassis is not aluminum, it feels clean and durable. the footprint is also reduced thanks to the ultra slim bezels around the screen.

Acer Chromebook 514, CB514-1H-C47X

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The Acer Chromebook 514 is another chromebook that provides great value for the money. It’s definitely one of the best Chromebooks under 400 dollars you can get. The Acer Chromebook 514 CB514-1H-C47X is powered by an Intel Celeron N3350, 4GB of RAM, and has a 32GB eMMC drive, which is a standard config for Chromebooks currently. It also has access to the app store, and you can also install apps on it.

It’s in the build quality department where the Acer 514 really shines. The chassis is made of aluminum, and the Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS display has thin bezels around it, which helps reduce the overall footprint of the device. The battery life is also great (up to 12 hours), which makes the Acer 514 a great chromebook  for writers or people who need to do some work on the go.

Acer Chromebook 15 CB515-1HT-P39B

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The new Acer Chromebook 15 CB515-1HT-P39B is a device that offers plenty of value for money. This Chromebook comes with an Intel Pentium N4200 Dual-Core processor , 4GB of RAM, and a 32GB eMMC storage. In terms of performance, this Chromebook is very snappy and responsive. And while we’d love to have a bigger storage capacity, it should be noted that Chromebooks come with 100GB of Google Drive space. There is also a version with 64GB storage.

One of the reasons why the Acer Chromebook 15 CB515-1HT-P39B is one of the best chromebooks under $400 you can find, is the fact that it comes with a 15,6 inch Full HD IPS display that produces sharp and vivid images. And despite it being a 15,6 inch device, the footprint remains contained thanks to the narrow bezels around the screen.. The chassis is also made out of aluminum, which makes it all the more durable.

The backlit keyboard makes working easier in the night or in low light environments. The corning Gorilla touchpad makes tapping, swiping and scrolling just amazing. Also the feel of the touchpad is much slicker than the regular one’s making it a big hit among the users.

HP X360 14 2-in-1 Touchscreen Chromebook

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Thanks to its elegant and durable design, the HP X360 Chromebook combines style and great performance. This premium Chromebook features an 8th generation Intel Core i3-8130U Processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 64GB Solid State drive. For a Chromebook, this is more than enough. In fact, the X360 is designed for people who are looking for a solid Chromebook for work and mainly targets enterprise users.

Unlike the HP X2 which doesn’t come with a backlit keyboard, this HP X360 features an excellent backlit keyboard that also offers great tactile feedback. The chassis is made out of aluminum, and the laptop has a decent amount of ports for a chromebook; 2 USB 3.1 Type C, and 1 USB 3.0. Battery life is also outstanding, and tests have shown that you can easily get 10 hours+ from in real world use.

Google Pixelbook

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 Google’s Pixelbook is probably the most high end and most expensive Chromebook you can find. This is a high performance Chromebook that is designed to showcase the capabilities of the Chrome OS.  With a 7^th Gen Intel Core i5 processor and a 10 hour battery life, this Chromebook is power-packed. It has 4-in-1 design that can easily to adapt to laptop, tablet, tent and entertainment modes.

The Pixelbook also sports a 12.3 inch touch display, that has a ratio of 3:2. the Google Pixelbook is lightweight and has a sleek aluminum body.

The Pixelbook’s backlit keyboard is rated as one of the best and the keys are well placed with a satisfying clicking sound.

Acer Chromebook Spin 13

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The Acer Spin 13 is another premium Chromebook that was designed to compete with the Pixelbook. With its diamond-cut edges, Gorilla Glass touchscreen and touchpad, and anodized aluminum chassis, the Chromebook Spin 13 possesses all the design features and great build quality that one would expect from a high-end product.

Surprisingly, this Chromebooks is powered by an 8th generation Intel i5-8250U processor, which is similar to that found in regular laptops. This Chromebook also has 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.

The Spin 13 also sports a gorgeous 13.5 inch display, that has a resolution of 2256 x 1504 pixels. The display has a ratio of 3:2. The backlit keyboard is sturdy with no flex and has great travel and the right amount of feedback.

Samsung Chromebook Pro XE510C25-K01US

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The Samsung Chromebook Pro XE510C25 is a slim and lightweight device that can easily fit in your bag. In comes with an Intel Core M3 6Y30 Processor, 4GB of RAM, and 32GB eMMC storage. Actually, this chromebook has been around for while,  and this new model has almost the same specs as the previous generation, except, the keyboard.

The Samsung Chromebook Pro XE510C25 comes with a backlit keyboard. However, in order to make sure that you’re buying the backlit keyboard version, please pay attention to the model number and the description, because the previous model looks exactly the same. The Keyboard also has a light sensor, and the keys illuminate if you are in a dark environment; but you can use manual controls too ( using the alt and the brightness keys).

This Chromebooks also sports a 12,3 inch 2400×1600 display, that has an aspect ratio of 3:2, and a brightness of 400nit. Most people find 3:2 displays better if you’re planning to use this Chromebook in tablet mode.

Conclusion

The keyboard can be an essential component to of your Chromebook, especially if your work requires lots of typing. This was our list of the best chromebooks with backlit keyboards available right now, if you have any suggestions or have a model that isn’t included in our list, feel free to leave us a comment.